Neal Allen Caraway
July 26, 1962 — January 31, 2016
Neal Allen Caraway, 53, of Marion passed away Sunday, January 31, 2016 at his home. Visitation: 4 – 8 p.m. Thursday, February 4, 2016 at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion. Celebration of Life: 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 5, 2016 at Theatre Cedar Rapids located at 102 3rd St. SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401. Inurnment: Oakshade Cemetery, Marion.
Neal was born July 26, 1962 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to James and Nancy Caraway. Neal grew up in a large, loving family. He attended Washington High School in Cedar Rapids. After graduation he purchased and renovated his first home in Marion, Iowa. In 1982 he married Brenda Neve, they divorced in 2004. He met Darcy Hawkins Bemus in 2008 and they married on April 23, 2010.
Neal worked with his father in Caraway Construction from an early age, developing his passion for fine craftsmanship and perfection in every aspect of building. He also worked for Gene’s Volkswagen where his love of automobiles and particularly Volkswagens deepened. For many years he repaired and restored VWs for himself and others, becoming the regional expert on air-cooled engines and earning the name Dr. V Dub. He took his sideline to a new level and opened an automotive shop in Anamosa, Iowa. In 2001 he began using his construction expertise in his position as Code Compliance Official and Building Inspector for the City of Marion.
Strong, tireless and full of life, Neal was always giving of himself wholeheartedly. If someone had a need, he would go out of his way to figure out a way to fulfill it. Through the years he was a member of Bug Rats, a Springville City Council member, and a board member of Starlighters Theatre in Anamosa.
With his deep, resonant voice, Neal filled the bass line of the family choir. He discovered a love of theatre at the age of 40, playing many roles over the years, including the Cat in The Hat in Seussical; Detective Stone in City of Angels; Bob Wallace in White Christmas; and his favorite role, Smudge, in Forever Plaid. When not on stage, he combined his talents to build fantastic sets.
Neal loved anything to do with sun and water: boating, surfing, knee boarding and SCUBA diving. While away from the water he showed his devotion with his trademark Hawaiian shirts every Friday. He also enjoyed snow-skiing, racing, kick-boxing and working puzzles with his family.
Survivors include his wife, Darcy; children, Benjamin Caraway of Mesa, AZ and Alisabeth Von Presley of Cedar Rapids; stepchildren, Madison and Alyssa Bemus of Marion; his father, Jim Caraway of Marion; siblings, Julie (Philip) Linse of Littleton, CO, Jill (Dave) Asprey of Swisher, Wendy (Kent) Bailey of Fort Madison, Caralyn (Steve) Butler of DeWitt, and Nathan (Lisa) Caraway of Marion; and one grandchild, Tucker Caraway of Marion. Neal was also blessed with numerous loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Neal was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Mae Caraway.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Washington High School Performing Arts.
Neal was born July 26, 1962 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to James and Nancy Caraway. Neal grew up in a large, loving family. He attended Washington High School in Cedar Rapids. After graduation he purchased and renovated his first home in Marion, Iowa. In 1982 he married Brenda Neve, they divorced in 2004. He met Darcy Hawkins Bemus in 2008 and they married on April 23, 2010.
Neal worked with his father in Caraway Construction from an early age, developing his passion for fine craftsmanship and perfection in every aspect of building. He also worked for Gene’s Volkswagen where his love of automobiles and particularly Volkswagens deepened. For many years he repaired and restored VWs for himself and others, becoming the regional expert on air-cooled engines and earning the name Dr. V Dub. He took his sideline to a new level and opened an automotive shop in Anamosa, Iowa. In 2001 he began using his construction expertise in his position as Code Compliance Official and Building Inspector for the City of Marion.
Strong, tireless and full of life, Neal was always giving of himself wholeheartedly. If someone had a need, he would go out of his way to figure out a way to fulfill it. Through the years he was a member of Bug Rats, a Springville City Council member, and a board member of Starlighters Theatre in Anamosa.
With his deep, resonant voice, Neal filled the bass line of the family choir. He discovered a love of theatre at the age of 40, playing many roles over the years, including the Cat in The Hat in Seussical; Detective Stone in City of Angels; Bob Wallace in White Christmas; and his favorite role, Smudge, in Forever Plaid. When not on stage, he combined his talents to build fantastic sets.
Neal loved anything to do with sun and water: boating, surfing, knee boarding and SCUBA diving. While away from the water he showed his devotion with his trademark Hawaiian shirts every Friday. He also enjoyed snow-skiing, racing, kick-boxing and working puzzles with his family.
Survivors include his wife, Darcy; children, Benjamin Caraway of Mesa, AZ and Alisabeth Von Presley of Cedar Rapids; stepchildren, Madison and Alyssa Bemus of Marion; his father, Jim Caraway of Marion; siblings, Julie (Philip) Linse of Littleton, CO, Jill (Dave) Asprey of Swisher, Wendy (Kent) Bailey of Fort Madison, Caralyn (Steve) Butler of DeWitt, and Nathan (Lisa) Caraway of Marion; and one grandchild, Tucker Caraway of Marion. Neal was also blessed with numerous loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Neal was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Mae Caraway.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Washington High School Performing Arts.
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